BATTERY CELL SUPPORT AND ASSEMBLY THEREOF

• US 20120219846A1
• Filed: 02/25/2011
• Published: 08/30/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Foster Assets Corporation (Foster Assets)
• Original Assignee: Foster Assets Corporation (Foster Assets)
• Inventors: Chan, Yet
• Application Number:
  US13/035,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20120219846A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/159
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/258 Modular batteries; Casings provided with means for assembling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery cell support consisted of a first supporting member and a second supporting member, which are assembled by a first fitting mechanism and a second fitting mechanism on the supporting member that can be snap-fit in each other. Battery cells are inserted in the space formed by the first supporting member and the second supporting member with exposed surface such that proper heat dissipation of the battery cells is ensured. An assembly of multiple battery cell supports is also disclosed which uses different fitting mechanisms to combine the separate battery cell supports, and also a metal strap is used to electrically connect the separate battery cell supports.

Claims

1. A battery cell support for packing a plurality of battery cells, comprising:

a) a first supporting member, said first supporting member further comprising a first fitting mechanism; and

b) a second supporting member detachable from said first supporting member;

said second supporting member further comprising a second fitting mechanism capable of fitting in said first fitting mechanism such that said first supporting member and said second supporting member being assembled to form said battery cell support;

whereby a plurality of battery cells are capable of being inserted in a space formed by said first supporting member and said second supporting member.

2. The battery cell support of claim 1, wherein said first supporting member and said second supporting member each further comprises a hook and a protruding portion;

said hook of said first supporting member capable of fitting in said protruding portion of said second supporting member and said hook of said second supporting member capable of fitting in said protruding portion of said first supporting member.

3. The battery cell support of claim 1, wherein said first supporting member further comprises a third fitting mechanism, said third fitting mechanism being on a side of said first supporting member opposite to said first fitting mechanism;

said second supporting member further comprises a fourth fitting mechanism, said fourth fitting mechanism being on a side of said second supporting member opposite to said second fitting mechanism;

said third fitting mechanism and said fourth fitting mechanism capable of fitting in each other such that two said battery cell supports are connected in a longitudinal direction.

4. The battery cell support of claim 3, wherein said third fitting mechanism further comprises a first hook and a positioning hole;

said fourth fitting mechanism further comprising a second hook and a positioning pin;

said first hook configured to fit in said second hook and said positioning hole configured to have said positioning pin inserted therein whereby said two battery cell supports are connected in said longitudinal direction.

5. The battery cell support of claim 1, wherein said first supporting member further comprises a third fitting mechanism;

said third fitting mechanism capable of fitting in said third fitting mechanism on another said battery cell support, such that two said battery cell supports are connected in a horizontal direction.

6. The battery cell support of claim 5, wherein said third fitting mechanism further comprises a hook and a slot, said hook and said slot configured to be fitting into each other.

7. The battery cell support of claim 1 further comprises a positive strap and a negative strap installed on said first fitting mechanism and said second fitting mechanism respectively;

said positive strap electrically connecting to positive poles of said plurality of battery cells and said negative strap electrically connecting to negative poles of said plurality of battery cells.

8. A battery cell module comprising:

a) a plurality of battery cell supports connected to each other;

each said battery cell support further comprising

i. a first supporting member, said first supporting member further comprising a first fitting mechanism; and

ii. a second supporting member detachable from said first supporting member;

said second supporting member further comprising a second fitting mechanism fitting into said first fitting mechanism such that said first supporting member and said second supporting member being assembled into said battery cell support;

whereby a plurality of battery cells capable of being inserted in a space formed by said first supporting member and said second supporting member;

b) at least one connecting strap connecting two said battery cell supports such that said two battery cell supports are electrically connected.

9. The battery cell module of claim 8 further comprises two battery cell supports connected to each other in a longitudinal direction;

said connecting strap electrically connecting said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support.

10. The battery cell module of claim 9, wherein said first supporting members further comprise positive straps and said second supporting members further comprise negative straps;

said connecting strap electrically connecting said positive strap on said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said negative strap on said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support whereby said two battery cell modules are connected in series.

11. The battery cell module of claim 8 further comprises two battery cell supports connected to each other in a horizontal direction, a first connecting strap and a second connecting strap;

said first connecting strap electrically connecting said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said first supporting member of the other said battery cell support;

said second connecting strap electrically connecting said second supporting member of one said battery cell support to said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support.

12. The battery cell module of claim 11, wherein said first supporting members further comprise positive straps and said second supporting members further comprise negative straps;

said first connecting strap electrically connecting said positive strap on said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said positive strap on said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support;

said second connecting strap electrically connecting said negative strap on said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said negative strap on said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support;

whereby said two battery cell modules are connected in parallel.

13. The battery cell module of claim 8 further comprises two battery cell supports connected to each other in a horizontal direction and a connecting;

said connecting strap electrically connecting said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support.

14. The battery cell module of claim 13, wherein said first supporting members further comprise positive straps and said second supporting members further comprise negative straps;

said connecting strap electrically connecting said positive strap on said first supporting member of one said battery cell support to said negative strap on said second supporting member of the other said battery cell support;

whereby said two battery cell modules are connected in series.

15. A method of manufacturing a battery pack, comprising the steps of:

a) providing a battery cell support for packing a plurality of battery cells, comprising;

i. a first supporting member, said first supporting member further comprising a first fitting mechanism; and

ii. a second supporting member detachable from said first supporting member;

said second supporting member further comprising a second fitting mechanism capable of fitting in said first fitting mechanism such that said first supporting member and said second supporting member being assembled to form said battery cell support; and

b) inserting a plurality of battery cells in a space formed by said first supporting member and said second supporting member.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a) a battery cell support for packing a plurality of battery cells, which further comprising;

i. a first supporting member, said first supporting member further comprising a first fitting mechanism; and

ii. a second supporting member detachable from said first supporting member;

said second supporting member further comprising a second fitting mechanism capable of fitting in said first fitting mechanism such that said first supporting member and said second supporting member being assembled to form said battery cell support; and

b) at least one internal component electrically connected to said battery cell support;

said battery cell support providing electric power to said internal component so that said internal component operates.